Maritime
Allocate Port Charges To CTN, FG Urged
The National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Lucky Amiwero, has called on the Federal Government to allocate the controversial terminal handling charges and seven percent port development levy to the cargo trading process.
It will be recalled that a ministerial committee set up by the former minister of transport to review port charges, recommended the total cancellation of terminal handling charges and port development levy, which were not provided in the port concession agreement.
“Terminal handling charges are duplicated as terminal delivery charges and the duplication of the collection by shipping/terminal operators is in contravention of the ministerial committee’s recommendation and global practice, which outlaw the collection.
“The collection should be substituted for the cargo tracking note being a component of freight, which is to track cargo down to the port of destination”, Amiwero said, adding that the illegal and duplicated charges should be allocated to the cargo tracking process, which has great benefit to the nation in terms of revenue, security and safety of cargo.
The present collection of seven percent port development levy at the ports, he said, is not in consonant with the port concession agreement that transferred port development activities to the terminal operators.
In a 10-page letter entitled “Global Perspective on Cargo Tracking and its Effect on Security and Safety of the Nation’s Economy,” which he addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF), Amiwero provided a comprehensive analytical framework on the cargo tracking note (CTN) recently introduced to Nigeria.
He noted that one of the important recent international developments in the field of supply chain security was the adoption, under the auspices of World Customs Organisation WCO) of a new framework of standards to secure and facilitate global trade, which is referred to as WCOSAFE Framework.
Among the four areas the SAFE Framework focuses is the mandatory outbound inspection of high risk containers on which the concept of cargo tracking and screening of outbound cargo was built.
Prior to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States, Amiwero said, customs authorities were responsible for the clearance of imported goods at destination, but the attack precipitated a change in cargo inspection based on security.
The cargo security programme developed after the terrorist attack emphasised provision of a new protocol for tracking and screening of cargo from both the country of origin to destination, which was adopted globally due to security threats on the supply chain.
He noted that the instrument for the implementation of CTN in Nigeria is pre-shipment of import and export 10 and 11 of April 9, 1999, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act 17 of 2007 and the Nigerian Ports Authority Decree 38 of 1999.
Freight includes the tracking of containers by the shipping agency/terminal operator to destination before delivery to consignee. This is based on the provision of the United Nations convention on carriage of goods by sea (ratification and enforcement) Act 19 of 2005 which is liability of carrier from the port of loading to port of discharge by handling over to the consignee, he added.
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Badagry, says its gallant officers have rescued nine women from the hands of suspected human traffickers.
FOB said the suspects have been handed over to the National Agency for prohibition of Human trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) for prosecution.
This was disclosed to newsmen in a statement by the Base Information Officer, Litunent B. Awodeyi, in Lagos.
Awodeyi said the first interception of the women was during a stop and search operation by the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Command in a boat traveling to mile 2 and Panshi Jetty in Lagos State were five women between the ages of 19 and 32 were rescued.
The statement further said four women were also rescued by QRT two days later in a boat along Tongeji Island in Badagry, with the ages of victims ranging from 19 to 24 years.
Awodeyi said the rescued suspects were under investigation in line with the 2016 Harmonised Standard Procedures on arrest.
Although the names of the suspects were not made public by FOB, it insisted that the operation reflects Navy’s dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring a secure maritime environment in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic directive 2023 and 2026.
The directive, Awodeyi said, is aimed at promoting safety in Nigeria’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG).
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), led by its President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike, if the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) fails to pay nine months of salary arrears owed its employees.
Adeyanju said the affected workers are members of MWUN, and accused CRFFN management of neglecting its financial responsibilities.
MWUN in a statement by its Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the actions of the CRFFN’s Acting Registrar.
The statement noted that MWUN had exhausted all available options for negotiation, including issuing several ultimatums, but that the efforts were ignored by the management of CRFFN.
“The most recent attempt at mediation occurred in Abuja on September 18, 2024, yet no progress was made in resolving the matter”, it said.
The statement criticised CRFFN for disregarding a crucial resolution reached during the mediation meetings.
According to Ikemefuna, one of the resolutions stipulated that when funds become available to the CRFFN, the payment of employees’ salaries should be prioritis ed.
The statement further noted that CRFFN diverted available funds to conduct what it described as a “kangaroo” training programme for select staff members, leaving the issue of unpaid salaries unaddressed.
“This is a clear violation of the agreements reached”, it emphasised.
The Union said CRFFN’s actions have deepened the financial challenges faced by its members, hence MWUN expressed disappointment that, despite their willingness to cooperate with the CRFFN management, the regulatory body has continued to act in a manner that undermines the rights and welfare of its members.
The workers union, therefore, insisted that it would no longer tolerate the perceived impunity of the CRFFN and declared that if the outstanding nine months salary arrears are not paid, it would have no choice but to initiate a total withdrawal of its members from services.
“This action would impact key sectors of Nigeria’s maritime industry, including the Nigerian Ports Authority, dock labour, shipping and freight forwarding agencies, as well as seamen working across all ports, jetties, terminals, and oil and gas platforms”, Ikemefuna stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, has thwarted a smuggling attempt of N1.1billion illicit drugs in four containers at Apapa Port.
The four seized containers were filled with narcotics valued at N1,183,915,500.
The Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, disclosed this to newsmen through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman.
The seizure involved 236,783 bottles of cough syrups containing codeine and Barcadin, packed in a total of 2,174 cartons from two terminals under the command’s jurisdiction.
Three other seizures were made at APM Terminals, while one was intercepted at Kachicares Bonded Terminal.
Comptroller Olomu explained that, “On October 11, 2024, during a joint inspection of a 1×40 container, number MRKU0377493, our officers discovered prohibited CSP cough syrup—34,800 bottles packed into 174 cartons, each containing 200 bottles.
“The shipment was expired at the time of interception”.
The statement said on the same day, another 1×40 container, number TGBU8886020, was found with 39,700 bottles of DSP cough syrup, packed in cartons containing 100 bottles each.
Additionally, a third container (TCKU6800526) examined on October 15, 2024, at APMT Terminal, labelled as containing essential goods, revealed 19 cartons of concealed CSJ cough syrup for throat and chest with codeine, packed in 200 bottles per carton.
Another major seizure was recorded on October 15, 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal: A 1×40FT container, number SUDU8579006, declared as containing kitchen wares, was found with a concealed stash of Barcadin cough syrup in 1,584 cartons, along with 83 loose bottles.
Comptroller Olomu described the seizures as part of the NCS’ zero-tolerance policy toward smuggling.
Apapa Command, he said, “is committed to efficient trade facilitation while maintaining strict controls on revenue collection and anti-smuggling activities.
”I urge those engaged in illegal trade to avoid Apapa Port. Our vigilant officers, using intelligence, technology, and experience, are poised to detect and intercept any smuggling attempts”.
He insisted that Codeine abuse has been linked to severe side effects, including drowsiness, confusion, and increased susceptibility to criminal behaviors.
“The Nigerian government banned the importation of codeine-containing cough syrups in 2018 after widespread misuse among youth”, he noted.
The Comptroller said further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the individuals behind the smuggling attempts.
